Some Common Health Issues In Senior Cats

Cats are considered senior when they reach the age of 11 to 14 years. At this point in their lives, cats begin to undergo several issues with their health. Like humans, cats begin to have a reduced ability to do things. They may experience numerous indications of pain or discomfort that may be due to underlying medical conditions. 

If you want to know more about the common diseases that may be experienced by your beloved cat, read on. Some of them are listed as follows: 

●       Some types of cancer commonly occur in senior felines, including oral, mammary, and intestinal cancers.

●       Senior felines are at higher risk of developing diabetes because of being overweight.

●       About 80% of felines who are old suffer from cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

●       Senior felines commonly encounter inflammatory bowel diseases, such as weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperthyroidism.

●       Over 20% of felines develop kidney disease.

●       More than 80% of senior cats acquire dental disease and osteoarthritis. 

If your pet is showing any signs of illness, make an appointment with your vet clinic Burlington, ON. 

The Ultimate Non-Shedding Cat: Sphynx

If you love cats but find yourself itching or sneezing uncontrollably anytime you get near one, you might be allergic to them. If you would still prefer to care for a cat over other pets, you can get a cat of the Sphynx breed.

Sphynx cats are also known as hairless cats but they are still not hypoallergenic. Since they do not have fur in their body, one of the main causes that trigger an allergic reaction is already eliminated. The primary allergen in felines is a specific type of protein called Fel d 1. This protein is present in the sebaceous glands of the skin and the cat’s saliva.

Moreover, there are some steps you can take to reduce the allergens that could end up in your house. You can regularly bathe them, create a cat-free area in your home, and use air filters and purifiers. These options could help eliminate possible allergens from your cat that could trigger your allergies.

Any problem affecting your pet's skin and/or hair coat should require a visit to a vet clinic Burlington, ON. 

Which Vaccines Does Your Kitten Need?

Every pet kitten has to be given the FVRCP vaccine - Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.  These three viruses set off upper respiratory illnesses in cats, and they can have effects ranging from mild to fatal.

For full protection, a kitten requires three vaccinations administered three to four weeks apart.  Many veterinarians suggest that the vaccinations are given when the animal is about eight weeks old, then repeated when she is twelve weeks old, and the last one at sixteen weeks.  This pattern may be altered slightly if your kitten is ill because it is known that vaccines are not as effective in boosting the already ill animal’s immune response.

Every cat will need to get the rabies vaccine.  Many veterinarians will recommend that this is done when the kitten is sixteen weeks old.

Factoring in where you live with your kitten and whether she will be allowed outdoors, your veterinarian might suggest also getting vaccinations as protection from feline leukemia.  There is no known cure for the disease, but if you plan on keeping your pet exclusively indoors, the vaccine might not be needed because the odds of an indoor cat getting it are zero.

Your pet will benefit from regular health and wellness checks at your vet clinic Burlington, ON. Click here to know more about their services. 

Provide The Right Diet To Keep Shih Tzu Hair Coat Shiny And Healthy

 

Shih Tzus are known for their shiny and long hair. And you can help your dog maintain a beautiful hair coat by providing it with the right food.  Don’t forget to brush the coat and bathe your dog regularly.

The ideal food to give a Shih Tzu should include the following:

• Omega-3 and Omega-6 to keep the skin healthy and supple; as well as the hair smooth.
• Vitamin H (or Biotin) to prevent skin infection and hair loss

When a Shih Tzu receives all the needed nutrients, he will have a healthy hair coat. Don't depend on food supplements for your dog, because you can find a natural food source that contains all the needed vitamins and minerals.

Shih Tzus have a high probability of developing tear stains. To prevent this from happening, do not add too much grain to your dog's diet. Research shows that grains exacerbate tear problems and other irritations in a Shih Tzu. 

Your pet’s diet is one of the important concerns that you should discuss with your veterinary clinic Burlington ON during your pet’s wellness checks.

Is It True That Large Dogs Do Not Live As Long As Small Dogs?

 

Generally, smaller dogs do have longer lifespans than large dog breeds.  Large dogs can be considered senior dogs at around seven years old, as opposed to a Chihuahua, who at about an equal age would most likely be experiencing mid-life.  When Dr. Cornelia Kraus from Germany's Göttingen University researched the subject, the findings show that life expectancy and the size of the dog had significant links.  The findings indicate that every 4.4 lbs of the dog’s body weight decrease the life expectancy by one month.  It was also suggested by the research that bigger dog breeds had more cancer-related deaths when compared to the much smaller breeds.  This is because the larger dogs have a tendency to grow much faster, and this may be linked with unusually fast growth in cells that accelerate the aging process.  Also, bigger dogs most often have more hazardous lifestyles when compared to their smaller, pampered cousins.

Your vet Burlington, ON is an essential information source regarding your pet’s wellbeing and health.

The Benefits of Microchips for Pets

 

While pet microchips don’t allow you to track your animal companion’s movements in real-time, they have a much more useful purpose: Keeping your pet identified for a lifetime. But what are the benefits of this kind of identification? 

First, microchips cannot be removed by your pet accidentally or on purpose, the way ID tags on the collar could be chewed off or ripped away. That means you have the peace of mind knowing your pet is constantly identified, no matter what. Another great thing about microchips is that they’re cost-effective; you will most likely only have to purchase one for your pet’s entire lifetime. Even if you get a new telephone number or home address, you can simply update your pet’s contact information while they keep the same chip.

Ready to have your pet outfitted with a microchip? Contact your vet clinic Burlington, ON to set up an appointment.

Helping New Guinea Pigs Adjust To Their New Home

Transferring to a new residence or building can be exhausting not only to humans but also to their pets like the guinea pigs. You should plan out in advance the things needed to manage a smooth transition to your new home. As new members of the family, pets should be showered with all the love and care they needed in order to cope with the new environment.

Below are the tips to help your pet adapt to the change of home comfortably:

• Prepare your pet’s enclosure ahead of time. The basic needs like food, water bowls, bedding, cavy-safe toys, and others should be placed in the cage before the pet’s arrival.

• When the pets arrived at home, place it right away in the cage, and cover the birdcage with a piece of cloth to prevent them from being shocked in its current environment. The cloth also serves as a protective barrier from the world and allows them room to adjust to their new situation.

Sudden changes in your pet’s behavior should warrant an appointment with your animal hospital Burlington ON.

Picking Up Your Guinea Pig

You could injure your guinea pig if you pick him up improperly and he could even die if you drop him. Thus it is important that you learn to pick up your guinea pig correctly. Ensure that your guinea pig is comfortable with you before you try to pick him up. Sit close to his enclosure and sing or talk to him softly. Drape your hand in the enclosure for exploration and try hand feeding him. Once your guinea pig is comfortably, act efficiently. Place one hand under his chest behind the front legs and as you lift him use the other hand to scoop up the rear end. Pull your guinea pig close to your chest to prevent him from wriggling away. Be prepared to place your guinea pig on a safe surface rather than dropping him. Never pick him up by a leg or the scruff of the neck. For more information, contact your veterinarians Burlington, ON.

Dogs and Rocks

Rocks can be dangerous for dogs. Not necessarily the big rocks. Those just get in the way. It’s the small rocks that can fit in a dog’s mouth that you should watch out for. Dogs that like to explore by putting things in their mouth tend to pick up rocks to explore and sometimes end up chocking on the rocks or swallowing them. Rocks do not digest and can sit in the stomach causing damage to the stomach or even the intestines if the rock tries to exit. If you think your dog has swallowed rocks, call your vet to schedule an exam right away. X-rays will most likely need to be taken to determine the presence of rocks, where they’re at and how many there are. Surgery may be prescribed to remove the rocks. Your veterinarian Burlington, ON can tell you that some dogs eat rocks out of curiosity or boredom.